Spray-discharge device for a deformable container

Abstract

A deformable spray dispenser comprises a valve unit which is capable of axial displacement within the container with respect to the container cover between a spray-discharge position and an air-suction position. The valve unit supports a member for shutting-off the eductor tube in its air-suction position. The valve unit is provided with a valve cap having an external face which is applied against an internal face of the container cover in the spray-discharge position and cooperates with the internal face so as to form a nozzle for discharging liquid through the container-cover orifice in an atomized spray pattern.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A spray-discharge device for a deformable container in which a pressure is developed for expelling a liquid from the container via an eductor tube and in which a partial vacuum is created in order to suck air into said container, said container having an orifice formed through a rigid cover which closes the container, wherein said device comprises said cover having an internal face fixedly positioned relative to the container, a valve unit which is capable of moving axially within the container with respect to the container cover between a spray-discharge position and an air-suction position, said valve unit having a first portion for shutting-off the eductor tube in its air-suction position and having a hollow valve-cap portion, said hollow valve-cap portion defining a first flow path from said eductor tube through an interior space of said hollow valve-cap portion and defining a second flow path between said rigid cover and an outer surface of said hollow valve-cap portion, said second flow path communicating with said first flow path through an opening in said hollow valve-cap portion, said orifice in said rigid cover being spaced laterally of said opening in said hollow valve-cap. 
     
     
       2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said valve-unit first portion comprises an axial valve stem formed in one piece with the valve-cap portion. 
     
     
       3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said valve unit cooperates with said internal face of said rigid cover to form a means for producing vortical flow motion when the valve unit is in the spray-discharge position, said vortical flow motion producing means comprising ducts disposed in a radiating pattern with respect to said orifice and formed in at least one of the external face of the valve-cap portion and the internal face of the container cover. 
     
     
       4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the first flow path communicates with the second flow path through a plurality of openings in said hollow valve cap portion, said openings being positioned at an end of said ducts which is opposite to said container-cover orifice. 
     
     
       5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the valve unit comprises wings for guiding said unit as it moves with respect to the container cover. 
     
     
       6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the guide wings aforesaid are slidably engaged within grooves formed longitudinally within a skirt which is integral with the container cover. 
     
     
       7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the valve cap portion has an external face which bears against the internal face of the container cover, and the bearing faces have a surface area which is substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of said orifice of the container cover. 
     
     
       8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said bearing faces have a substantially circular contour and are oriented obliquely with respect to the axis of the device, said discharge orifice being for an inclined spray. 
     
     
       9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first portion of said valve unit is movably mounted with the valve-cap portion. 
     
     
       10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said device comprises a tube providing a connection with the eductor tube and forming a seat for said first portion of said valve unit. 
     
     
       11. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises a cup which forms a connection between the eductor tube and the container cover, said cup being provided with means for cooperating with said first portion of said valve unit and said cup having at least one orifice for the flow of air from said container through said cup into said second flow path. 
     
     
       12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the aforesaid cup is attached by snap-action engagement on the container cover. 
     
     
       13. A device according to claim 1, wherein said cup has a central duct for guiding the flow of liquid toward said opening of said valve cap portion in the spray-discharge position of the valve unit. 
     
     
       14. A device according to claim 3, wherein the aforesaid central duct of the cup comprises an internal lip which forms a valve seat for the first portion of the valve unit. 
     
     
       15. A device according to claim 13, wherein the valve unit comprises an annular part or portion forming an extension of said valve-cap portion at the periphery around the central duct of said cup, the opening aforesaid of said valve cap portion being adapted to open into the interior of said annular part. 
     
     
       16. A device according to claim 13, wherein the central duct of the cup comprises an internal lip forming a seat for said first portion of said valve unit. 
     
     
       17. A spray-discharge device for a deformable container in which a pressure is developed for expelling a liquid from the container via an eductor tube and in which a partial vacuum is created in order to suck air into said container, said container having an orifice formed through a rigid cover which closes the container, wherein said device comprises said cover having an internal face fixedly positioned relative to the container, a valve unit which is capable of moving axially within the container with respect to the container cover between a spray-discharge position and an air-suction position, said valve unit having a first portion for shutting-off the eductor tube in its air-suction position and having a valve-cap portion, said valve cap portion defining a liquid flow channel extending from said eductor tube to a position spaced from said orifice, and an air flow channel which extends from a position outside of said eductor tube to said position spaced from said orifice, said liquid flow channel and said air flow channel meeting at an acute angle at said position spaced from said orifice, and a mixture channel in alignment with said air channel and extending from said position spaced from said orifice to said orifice, said mixture channel extending laterally from the liquid flow channel at said spaced positions.